Excise dept cracks down on liquor stores at Mapusa

Panaji: The excise department on Monday initiated punitive action against several liquor shops around the Mapusa bus stand for selling alcohol along with plastic cups to individuals.
Excise department officials also recorded other violations such as unauthorised liquor sales by wholesalers, non-maintenance of stock records and other violations. The department acted just hours after a Congress protest at the Mapusa excise department office.
The excise department issued notices to four liquor outlets for violations. The Congress had demanded action against the errant outlets after images showed migrant workers drinking openly at the bus stand, with some passing out on footpaths.
Congress has accused authorities of ignoring public alcohol consumption in places like bus stops, gardens, and streets. It demanded the revocation of excise licences issued to stores encouraging alcohol consumption.
The party blamed the excise department, municipalities, and police for ignoring public liquor consumption and the dumping of bottles in public spaces.
“We see a lot of people drinking in the open, particularly in Mapusa. The excise department, municipalities, and police appear to be sleeping. They do not act on this,” said Vijay Bhike, Congress Goa general secretary.
Bhike and North Goa district president Virendra Shirodkar met Mapusa excise officials, carrying discarded liquor bottles from the streets.
“If you are buying alcohol from a retail or wholesale outlet, take it home and drink. It is not a bar,” said Shirodkar.
Bhike said open drinking leads to rising crime and affects women’s safety in public.